January 1, 2025
I'm Looking for a Spiritual Directorwith Rolling Ridge staff
At Rolling Ridge, we understand spiritual direction to be the art of deep listening and holy accompaniment — a spiritual practice in which a trained companion helps us to create the contemplative space to attend to the subtle movements of the Divine within the ordinary moments of life.
In our culture of constant noise, distraction, and reactivity, the gift of listening — and of being deeply heard — opens us to new dimensions of awareness about ourselves, others, and God's ongoing work in our lives. Through direction, we begin to notice threads of divine presence woven through even our most mundane experiences.
Wherever you find yourself on your spiritual journey — whether immersed in a particular faith tradition, exploring the edges of belief, or simply sensing a call to deeper meaning — we'll help you connect with a trained spiritual director from our Listening Collective network who will walk alongside you with reverent attention. Together, you and your director will create a contemplative space where you can discover fresh ways of recognizing and responding to God's unique invitation.
Get started today by clicking the "Request Direction" button, or find answers to Common Questions about Spiritual Direction below.
Click the button below and fill out a request form. We'll match you with a spiritual director from our Listening Collective network who can accompany you on the path of contemplation and transformation.
Spiritual direction is a sacred listening relationship in which a trained director helps you hear and respond to the movement of God in your life. Different from counseling, coaching, or problem-solving, spiritual direction is a contemplative practice in which your director accompanies you in discerning the unique invitation God has for you.
Through this relationship, we learn to recognize the subtle voice of God speaking in our everyday experience, remove obstacles to grace, and illuminate blind spots through gentle questioning. Above all, spiritual direction helps us to witness, with reverent attention, the work of the Spirit already happening in our lives, so that we can respond more faithfully to the divine invitation of transformation.
No two sessions are quite the same, since each one unfolds as a contemplative experience of deep listening and holy accompaniment. Through questions, reflection, and conversation, your spiritual director creates a sacred space where you can explore the presence and movement of God in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of your life.
Sessions typically last about an hour, with most people choosing to meet monthly to allow time for integration and reflection between meetings. However, the frequency of sessions can be adjusted to best serve your journey, particularly during periods of intense discernment or transition.
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they reflect subtle nuances in approach and emphasis.
Spiritual direction traditionally suggests a more structured relationship where a trained director helps guide your spiritual journey through intentional questioning and discernment practices.
Spiritual companioning emphasizes the mutual nature of the relationship, where the companion walks alongside you as a fellow traveler, exploring how both divine presence and life circumstances shape your spiritual journey.
At Rolling Ridge, we embrace both perspectives, recognizing that the most effective spiritual relationships often combine elements of both direction and companionship. Our directors serve as both skilled guides and reverent companions, adapting their approach to best serve your unique spiritual journey.While these terms are often used interchangeably, they reflect subtle nuances in approach and emphasis.
Spiritual Direction is an investment in your spiritual journey. Spiritual Directors typically request a payment or donation of $40-$75 for an hour-long session, though sometimes the requested hourly rate is higher or lower than that range. Many spiritual directors offer sliding scales and flexible payment options to work with your needs.
We believe spiritual companionship should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, so we encourage open conversations about fees with potential spiritual directors. They understand that each person's situation is unique and are committed to finding arrangements that work for everyone.
No, not at all. Whether you identify with a particular faith tradition, consider yourself "spiritual but not religious," or are simply curious about the deeper dimensions of life, spiritual direction offers valuable companionship on your journey.
Rolling Ridge is rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition and United Methodist heritage. However, our network includes directors from many denominations and faith backgrounds.
When filling out your request form for spiritual direction, you can indicate whether you'd prefer to meet with someone from a particular faith tradition, and we'll do our best to match you appropriately. However, each director honors your unique path while drawing from the rich well of contemplative wisdom.
We're here to help connect you with the right spiritual companion. Simply complete our free online request form, sharing your specific needs and preferences. After receiving your form, we'll prayerfully consider potential matches and suggest one spiritual director from our Listening Collective network who we believe might be a good fit.
Once we share this recommendation, you and the director can explore whether the connection feels right for both of you, usually through an introductory session or video conference call, before deciding on what next steps to take.
Our spiritual directors are primarily located throughout New England, especially in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont, though our growing network includes directors from other regions of the United States as well. Many offer sessions at Rolling Ridge, while others can arrange meetings in different locations or online, making spiritual direction accessible regardless of your location.
Yes! Many of our spiritual directors offer sessions via video chat or by phone, making spiritual direction accessible wherever you are in the world. While this practice traditionally unfolds in person, we've found that virtual spaces can be equally profound — creating meaningful interactions where grace and insight flow freely. Simply indicate your preference for online meetings in your request form.
The relationship between director and directee is sacred and should feel like a "soul friendship." During your initial session, notice how you feel in their presence. Can you be authentic? Do you feel deeply heard? Is there a sense of sacred trust? Trust your inner knowing while remaining open to how the Spirit might work in unexpected ways.
After you fill out our request form, our Listening Collective leadership team will refer you to a spiritual director who might be a good fit. If after meeting and discerning together you find the connection isn't right, you can simply fill out the form again to request a different director. We understand that finding the right spiritual director is an important part of the journey, and we're here to assist you in that process.
Spiritual Direction at Rolling Ridge is provided by members of The Listening Collective, our peer-led organization for spiritual directors and deep listeners. The Listening Collective exists to help spiritual directors enrich the art and skills of deep listening; share practices, stories, and resources; and feel the warmth of peer-led support and encouragement in the life-giving vocation of soul companioning.
Members of our Listening Collective network have completed comprehensive formation and training programs, typically spanning 2-3 years. This training combines theological reflection, contemplative practice, and supervised experience. Many are trained through our own Gateways to God program at Rolling Ridge.
Our directors continue their own spiritual growth through ongoing practices and relationships. Each receives spiritual direction themselves, participates in regular peer supervision, and pursues continuing education through the Listening Collective.
If you would like to become a spiritual director or deep listener, we invite you to consider Gateways to God, our two-year training program in spiritual direction. If you have already trained as a spiritual director, we invite you to consider joining our network as part of the Listening Collective.
Spiritual Directors International (SDI) offers extensive information about the practice and maintains a worldwide directory of spiritual directors. We suggest you watch this video from SDI, introducing spiritual direction. We also recommend reading classic texts on spiritual direction such as "Holy Listening" by Margaret Guenther or "The Practice of Spiritual Direction" by William Barry and William Connolly.
Our own Rolling Ridge website features articles, reflections, and resources about contemplative spirituality and spiritual direction. Additionally, you're welcome to attend our introductory programs and retreats at Rolling Ridge that feature spiritual direction opportunities, to experience firsthand the practice of spiritual direction in an accessible setting.
For specific book recommendations or additional resources tailored to your interests, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Listening Collective team at listeningcollective@rollingridge.org.